Gift-Wrappings & Jewels

I discovered a wonderful 92 year old lady through a video clip and her poetry.  Her name is Wanda Goines.  She wrote a poem, profound in simplicity yet deep in meaning, called "The Gift Wrap and the Jewel".  Since I am a visual person,  I looked for images to try to depict an illustration to deepen meaning to her words. The first image signifies a wrapped gift box in full life and energy of the seasons of spring, summer and fall.  The second gift box is wrapped in burlap with plain ribbon in a representation of the winter season in our lives, as our bodies become aged and worn.  

The beautiful jeweled photo below is my attempt to find an image that remotely serves as an illustration of the essence that lives inside of our physical bodies.  We can all have our own interpretations of the energy in form that exists in spirit.... who has seen spirit? But who has felt the dynamics of spirit!   Both are alive - the human and the spirit, throughout all the seasons of our lives but spirit does one better.  When the body dies in its mortality,  the spirit lives on in its immortality.  

We come in variety of boxes in wrappings of color, pattern and style - shaped by the dynamics of human living and circumstance.  However, the jewel always was and placed within the setting of human by the breath of God.  Let Wanda's poem speak to you in the destiny we yearn for in the Master's hands as the gift-wrap fades and the jewel brightens.
                                                           
                                                            "The Gift-Wrap & The Jewel" by Wanda B. Goines

                                                       "I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
                                                        But a little old lady peering back at me.
                                                        With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair
                                                        And I asked my reflection, how did you get there?

                                                                 You once were straight and vigorous

                                                        And now you're stooped and weak

                                                        When I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique.

                                                        My reflection's eyes twinkled and she solemnly replied

                                                        You're looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside

                                                        A living gem and precious of unimagined worth

                                                        Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth.

                                                        The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more cruel

                                                        Should purify and strengthen and polish up that jewel.

                                                        So focus your attention on the inside, not the out

                                                        On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout

                                                        Then when your gift wrap's stripped away

                                                        Your jewel will be set free, to radiate God's glory throughout eternity!"      

You can also watch the video at this link and hear the poem in Wanda's words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YxCR2a-sxI

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hands..... and here is a reminder out of Malachi 3:17, "They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, On that day I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them"

Join me in two weeks at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, October 12.


 

Fire Update, Petrolia and Doris

I begin this post by giving you a quick update on the Canyon Creek Complex fire we have had in this area that I reported about two weeks ago.  For family and friends who live in Eastern Oregon, this is not recent news as they live with it every day.  For the readers of my blog who are not familiar with the current fire news, as of today - Sunday, September 13 - the amount of acreage burned is 110,422 with 90% containment.  Cooler weather is on its way with rain helping to squelch the sections of fire that are still smoldering.   Hopefully, this monster fire will finally see its last!

August did bring the fair and the fire as I had mentioned in my posts of last month.  There was one other significant happening that I'd like to mention and that is bringing Doris home to her beloved Petrolia.  I have mentioned my mother-in-law, Doris in some previous posts that many of you may be familiar with.  Links are printed below for you to check out if you have not already seen them.
At one time, when Doris was of full mind, she told me that upon her death she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes returned to her home in Northern California.  She passed away on May 24th of this year.  She spent the past ten years of her life at a living facility in John Day where we oversaw her care.  I grew close to Doris and admired her spunk and quick mouth, which was sure to correct you if something was out of line in her estimation.  That spunk served her well throughout her years of survival.  There was one thing left to do before I could experience completion and that was to return her ashes to Petrolia.  Jim and I had the chance to do this in August and she came home.

The drive into Petrolia is beautiful and unique in its rugged countryside as well as the road itself.  Part of the road is called the 'Wildcat' and it befits its name.  It is twisty, curvy.... often just room enough for one vehicle.  When that occurs, you have to wait for your turn as the other driver passes through. It can become more complicated if a dense fog rolls in from the ocean.  You can smell the ocean air, refreshing instead of the smoke filled air from fires in the Oregon to California drive.  I took a few camera shots along the way as the Wildcat took you through a terrain of trees and ferns which lined the road into hilly pastures, a stretch of ocean drive and then back into the hills leading to Petrolia.  You can even catch a glimpse of some wildlife along the way - in this case, turkeys!

I include a few photos that are a little unusual.  A tree was growing from inside the remains of a truck that had seen better days.  You can imagine how long this old truck had been there to have a seedling tree grow up and out of the empty mount that once held a motor.

There is a painting on the wall of our friends' home in Petrolia that was done by Carl Sammons.  He was an early California artist, born in 1886 and died in 1968.  He was a prolific artist and included in his many paintings were images of the Mattole Valley in Humboldt County.  This particular painting was done in the earlier years of the town of Petrolia.  With our friends' permission, I took a photo of the painting as a remembrance of how Petrolia looked within the time period when Doris lived there as a young woman.

We can bid farewell to Doris now but its not really good-by, but until we meet again.  Symbolically speaking, she has returned to her Petrolia home in urn and ashes, but her spirit is enjoying her true home of life with our beloved Father of Lights in the glory of heaven.

Links to Doris reference stories starting with the most recent:
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2015/05/cycle-of-life-and-doris-rip.html 
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2015/05/art-form-horse-and-doris.html 
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2015/03/sands-of-time-and-doris.html 
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2014/04/valley-view-caregivers-baby-chicks.html 
 http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/09/rosie-riveter-and-doris.html
 

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, September 28, enjoy the fall days ahead....

"We Are Still Standing!"

August has been an eventful month... first the fair and then the fire!  The fire began on August 12, exploded on the 14th and fire crews have been battling this monster ever since.  At this writing, there have been 101,465 acres burned.  Weather wind conditions take the flames where they may and it is ongoing.  Below is a photo that I took of Canyon Mountain a few years ago towards the end of the winter season.  The mountain is blanketed in cool snow and bathed with sunlit clouds.  Recent photos show a different Canyon Mountain blanketed in smoke as timber trees and underbrush give way to flames licking up it's defining ridges.

The photos below shows smoke plumbs and clouds, which are the dramatic effect of a fire that is having its way in forested areas, dry and neglected through regulation and environmentalist stronghold - a perfect storm when introduced to the dry weather pattern in the Pacific Northwest.

Many lost their homes who lived in the Canyon Creek area lying at the base of the mountain on a road that winds down into Canyon City and John Day.  At this moment in time, 41 homes were burned - a tremendous loss in a small populated area... 39 to the Canyon Creek fire and 2 near Prairie City.  The fire has extended itself into the Strawberry Mountain area and with wind complications has advanced close to the community of Prairie City with a population of around 900 people.   Evacuation notices are in effect because of the fire danger. The firefighters are battling to save the town at this writing.

The John Day Valley has town communities of Dayville, Mt. Vernon, John Day with Canyon City and Prairie City.  They are situated from west to east on Highway 26, spanning a distance of about 44 miles.   When one community is affected by such a catastrophic fire, it affects them all.  The communities have come together in a team spirit where there is no dividing lines - there is but one goal and one purpose and that is to come to the aid of the hurting, to those who have suffered loss and to support the firefighters on the front lines.  Responsive caring has reached beyond the highway 26 boundary of the John Day Valley into the north, south, east and west of Oregon.  Truckloads of supplies from businesses and individuals across Oregon have come to help in donating what they can to assist in the loss of this devastating fire.  The American Red Cross has been here since the beginning.  Residents are amazed by the outpouring of assistance by others.  Much gratitude is extended towards the firefighters who courageously, in heart and mind, dangerously labor to stay back the fire to save lives and property.  We hear so much about the bad in the world - it is heartfelt to see the goodness in people who far outweigh the bad in such demonstrations of compassion, generosity, and courage in the extension of good will.

With permission of a friend of mine, Jina Carniglia, I present her photo along with her quote, which exemplifies the spirit of the people of Grant County.... 

"Two weeks ago today our lives and our county were forever changed.  The hole in our hearts may never go away, but it is being patched by the love and support of a community that is resilient, strong and amazingly tough!  We may be sooty, dirty, and tired, but we are still standing!!!"
 
The following photo speaks a thousand words....  in essence, no matter what the circumstances in our life brings in charred loss, life can spring anew in God's message of hope.  My thanks to Vickie Bly who brought this photo to my attention.

This is a continuing story and my hope is that by the time my next post rolls around on Monday, September 14,  I'll have some good news to report about the containment of the Canyon Creek Complex fire.

These are just a few of various news links about the currently active 2 week fire:
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/08/after_touch-and-go_windswept_m.html#incart_river_mobileshort

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/2015/08/29/sandy-sends-show-support-john-day-firefighters/71401616/
http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/free/20150830/school-buses-trucks-bring-donations-from-sandy-ore#.VeNURv7M-rg.facebook

http://www.opb.org/news/article/canyon-creek-complex-wildfire-evacuations-prairie-city/

http://photos.oregonlive.com/4450/gallery/canyon_creek_complex_fire/index.html#/14

Here is a video put together by Audra Clark entitled "Canyon Creek Complex 2015"

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnNySfORss

A Fair is an Affair

A celebration happened last week and that was the 106th Grant County Fair & Rodeo.  It is now the longest-running annual county fair in the State of Oregon held annually in August.  The fair comes complete with lots of entertainment for all ages - carnival rides, music, contests and events, livestock exhibits, vendors, a rodeo and of course, socializing with other fair attendees.  In a small community, that is pretty easy to do as you usually meet someone you know.   Children are always a delight to watch as they express themselves in fun.  I was able to take few photos of several children who were excited over their face paintings, artistically drawn in facial expression.

There are plenty of behind the scene activities at the County Fair, one being 4-H.  A short lesson on what 4-H stands for..... Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.  The colors are green and white - green stands for growing, living things and white for purity and cleanliness.

The 4-H Pledge is: my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world. The 4-H motto: "To Make the Best Better"... The 4-H Slogan: "Learn by Doing".  

4-H is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18, which is designed to develop and mentor youth through a variety of clubs, camps and programs.  One such program focuses on livestock animals, which includes sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, horses.... even to chickens and rabbits.  Youth involved in the 4-H program spend a great deal of their summer in taming, training, grooming and looking after their animal in preparation for competition for showmanship and quality of their animal.

The animals are usually sold at auction at the end of the fair, the climatic ending of a summer of hard work and responsibility for the final outcome of the worth of their animal.  Below are a few photos of some of the animals exhibited at the fair.  I captured a few in a comedic pose -  baby rabbits curled up in a feed pan - a pig eating that last bit of grain - goats have big ears! - a sheep who wanted out - cute  miniature horses with eye hiding forelocks.  These are just some of the 4-H animals and a few on exhibit for viewing pleasure.
 

There are some stories behind fair events - the scene of sadness and tears for some youngsters when it is time to let go of their animal for auction.  Mixed emotions are evident since they reap the reward for all their hard work in a monetary way as their animal goes to the highest bidder.  For some, heartstrings are attached but nonetheless, they prepare themselves to go through this same process for another year.

Which brings me to another story behind the rodeo scene.  The below photos show a horse and rider who carried the flag as part of the traditional 'grand entry' before rodeo action begins.  As horse and rider move throughout the arena, it gives a sense of pride and patriotism to have the flag displayed in this manner.  It was especially moving when you know that the rider is paralyzed from the waist down. If you look close enough in the picture, you will see a brace that stabilized him to the horse.  His determination and grit is apparent in riding horseback in the privilege of carrying the American flag.  Way to go Alec!

The theme for this year's Grant County Fair & Rodeo days was "Blue Jeans & County Dreams".  An affair indeed!... a love of community and tradition for folks of all ages to enjoy and onward to the 107th in 2016.   


Let's visit again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, August 31....  Until then, God bless us all in the freedoms we enjoy and not take them for granted,  even a county fair.

Stargazer and Blue Moon

This past week, some friends gave me a beautiful flower out of their garden.  I was introduced to the Stargazer Lily.  It is beautiful to look at and the aroma fills the air with its fragrance.  To put the lily on display, I felt it needed a special vase and what better than a wine glass for a unique photo.  It also motivated me to find out more about this flower.

It is a combination of the Oriental and Asiatic lilies and the result is the best of both worlds in this exotic hybrid.  Leslie Woodruff, an American lily grower and breeder, introduced this creation - the stargazer lily in 1978.  He named it "stargazer" because of the way the blooms of this lily point toward the sky.  The stargazer lily can also be called heaven scent for its fragrance. 

It is a symbol of perfection, high hopes, optimism and limitless possibilities.  It also represents prosperity and abundance, conveying a message of honor.  It can symbolize the fulfillment of a dream.  It is an exquisite flower with positive meanings in the mystical ideas of symbolism.  But there is one thing that is in its disfavor - the stargazer lily is toxic to cats!  Beware and don't let your feline friends try a taste of this lily......

As we lift our eyes from the stargazer lily and look heavenward, a rare event occurred in July - two full moons in the same month.  On July 31, we were treated to a blue moon.  Of course I was out with my camera trying to get a good shot of a so called blue moon.  Disappointed, I saw that it was the ordinary standard moon color.  Of course I rushed to google to find out why the moon wasn't blue.  Google sources stated that when a moon does take on a bluish hue, it is because of smoke or dust particles in the atmosphere.  Since there are no raging wildfires happening in our area right now... thank God!... I won't be able to test out that theory of a blue hued moon.  I took the below photos at different times - late night and early morning shots, looking for any change in color.  As you can tell there is not much difference except the early morning has a lighter tone to it. Also the pock marks of the moon are a little different in position as the moon orbited the earth from the Eastern to the Western horizons when I took these shots.  And yes, the expression of "once in a blue moon" means a rare event.
 

July 31, 2015 around 10:30 p.m.

August 1, 2015 around 3:30 a.m.

I close this post with a few photos a little closer to earth!  These were taken on Highway 26 between John Day and Prairie City.   A horticulture business cleverly put together an old truck loaded with flowers and a fake figure waving to ongoing traffic.  It does catch your attention in advertising their nursery.  A wagon behind the truck was overflowing with color produced by gorgeous blossoms.  It's quite a sight and makes you want to stop and take a closer look for a photo or consider purchasing a few of their variety of plants, flowers or trees.

 

Here is a quote by Jim Lovell (former astronaut) to ponder on:  "The lunar flights give you a correct perception of our existence.  You look back at Earth from the moon, and you can put your thumb up to the window and hide the Earth behind your thumb.  Everything you've ever known is behind your thumb, and that blue-and-white ball is orbiting a rather normal star, tucked away on the outer edge of a galaxy."

Whether it be a stargazer lily, a blue moon, galaxies, earth or summer blossoms, God is all in all!

Let's meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, August 17.   Until then enjoy these August days and experience special moments along the way....

 

 

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume, - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.m8gjdHPb.dpuf

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume, - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.m8gjdHPb.dpuf

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.JNS6QVCR.dpulflflflflflf

Humor

We all need humor in this world! And as diversified as humanity is, humor can be found according to our personal whims as to what "tickles our funny bone".  Humor is defined as that which is intended to induce laughter or amusement.  Laughter can bubble up from the profound to the profain, depending on the context and inclination.  Just listening to a child's laughter is good for the soul - there is nothing like hearing this innocent sound that can in turn, make you join in the good fun of simply laughing.  There is a proverb 17:22... "a merry heart doeth good as a medicine....".  

I was pleasantly surprised to learn this week that my favorite comic strip "Bloom Country and Outland" is coming back after a 25 year hiatus.  Through comic depictions, a perception of life is given out of the mind of its creator, Berkeley Breathed.  It is a satire that leaves no stone unturned as far as the 'stuff of life' is concerned. Anything is fair game in current affairs and some may call it 
'politically incorrect',  which can be a breath of fresh air during this time of increasingly extreme 'correctness'.  Situations take form as interpreted through his cartoon characters, one such being as "Opus",  a penguin who is a little weird but loveable. 

He's b-a-a-a-c-k!!

Flossing mind tartar!

 
The world hasn't changed much in 25 years - yes, technology has sky rocketed but the human condition has not in war and violence as depicted in the above comic strip.  As it was then and is now, after watching the news, how often do we need our 'dandelion break' and go to that secret place to find inner peace.

"A heart at peace gives life to the body...", Proverbs 14:30.  That sanctuary or place within where we draw from the presence of God, saturates us in His peace.  Our anxieties are quieted down and well-being is the result as we still ourselves in His Spirit. When Jesus walked this earth in human flesh, he also experienced human emotion, to name a few - sorrow, fear, hunger, thirst, compassion, and yes, even laughter.  I love the pictures of a laughing Jesus as artists have drawn or painted their imagery as to how Jesus could look in the emotion of gladness or humor.

There are times not to take each other or oneself too seriously.  We all need a good laugh now and then - our world seems to become a lighter place when humor can be used to dispel all sorts of negativity that would pull us down.  The below description of laughter is a beautiful explanation of what laughter is and does.....

Click on the link below to find out more about Bloom County.  You may or may not enjoy but give Opus a try - you might find yourself smiling....
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/13/422545636/bloom-county-2015-berkeley-breathed-revives-comic-strip

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday August 3, may you experience gladness of heart in your days....

Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy

I found this quote recently... "Nothing worth having comes easy", a rather true statement for anyone who has a personal vision, purpose or goal in their life.  It takes dedication, commitment and hard work to turn a dream into a reality.  It also takes patience and perseverance to overcome disappointments that seemingly block the intended outcome.  But inward passion is the thrust that leaps over hurdles, never losing sight of the desired goal.  Goals come in a variety of shapes and sizes but each one speaks personally to the inner heart of a man, woman and child.  Once a person finds their inclination, it becomes their inspiration towards a particular calling or a career.  Some may not realize their dream and struggle just to survive.  It all lies within the setting of freedom - the environment necessary to make dreams come true in choice and opportunity. 

For those who are in the profession of rancher and farmer, such hard work is apparent in preparation for the coming winter months.  As you drive through the John Day Valley, the green pastures of spring and irrigated fields of summer are in varied stages in the production of hay.  Grass and alfalfa fields are cut down in tidy rows awaiting the drying process before being bundled into bales of hay for livestock feeding. This is a simplified version of just one facet necessary in raising livestock.  It is a cycle of activity for those involved in this lifestyle.  And it takes a certain kind of individual to like this kind of life - to have that passion despite the ills that can come with it.   

Several weeks ago, the horses were moving across the fields, oblivious to the human effort in keeping them well fed throughout the year including the ensuing winter.  But they did make a nice photo shoot!

Yes! nothing worth having comes easy.  "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son...." (John 3:16).

Join me in two weeks on Monday, July 20th for more musings at The Turn-Up Patch.